Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Rapid Support Forces attack El-Fasher, west Sudan.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: One martyr and one wounded in an Israeli drone attack on the town of Hafir, west of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone fired three missiles in the vicinity of the town of Bodai, west of Baalbek.
Reuters: The Rapid Support Forces announced that they have taken over the headquarters of the Sudanese Armed Forces in al-Fasher.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the town of Al-Qlailah, Southern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strikes town of Harouf, Nabatieh district.
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.

Israeli FM threatens unilateral action over Palestinian statehood

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 7 Sep 2025 23:00
  • 4 Shares
5 Min Read

Israeli FM Gideon Saar called recognition of Palestinian statehood a “mistake,” warning of unilateral action as settlement expansion and annexation plans advance.

Listen
  • x
  • Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar talks with journalists as he arrives for the EU-Southern Neighbourhood ministerial meeting at the EU Council building in Brussels, Monday, July 14, 2025 (AP)
    Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar talks with journalists as he arrives for the EU-Southern Neighbourhood ministerial meeting at the EU Council building in Brussels, Monday, July 14, 2025 (AP)

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar branded international efforts to recognise Palestinian statehood a “mistake” on Sunday, warning that such moves could prompt unspecified unilateral measures. His remarks came amid reports that the Israeli government is considering annexing parts of the occupied West Bank.

Several countries, including France and Britain, have pledged to formally recognise a Palestinian state during the upcoming UN General Assembly session later this month. The move has heightened tensions with “Israel,” particularly after French President Emmanuel Macron co-chaired a July conference with Saudi Arabia, calling for a "two-state solution."

Britain has said it would proceed with recognition if “Israel” fails to agree to a truce in its war on Gaza. Saar argued that recognition would “destabilise the region” and make peace more difficult, adding, “It will push Israel also to have unilateral decisions.”

Speaking alongside his Danish counterpart, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Saar said that states like France and the UK had committed “a tremendous mistake.” Rasmussen, however, clarified that Denmark does not plan to recognise Palestinian statehood, insisting that any recognition must be conditional on disarmament, democratic governance, and recognition of the Israeli occupation. 

US Ambassador to the occupied Palestinian territories Mike Huckabee also denounced the initiative, describing recognition as “disastrous” and a violation of the Oslo Accords.

West Bank annexation concerns

While Saar did not detail possible responses, his comments followed the government’s approval of new settlement projects in the West Bank, including the controversial E1 development east of al-Quds. The project, if completed, would nearly bisect the territory, a move critics say would extinguish prospects for a contiguous Palestinian state.

Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich openly called for annexation of West Bank lands, declaring that it would “bury the idea of dividing our tiny land and establishing a terrorist state at its centre once and for all.”

Related News

Netanyahu, Rubio reaffirm commitment to disarm Hamas

Inside Rubio's push for government change in Venezuela: Drop Site

The West Bank is home to around three million Palestinians and approximately 500,000 settlers living in communities deemed illegal under international law. Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Sunday reiterated Amman’s “absolute refusal of any Israeli measures to annex the West Bank or displace Palestinians,” warning against any plans to separate Gaza from the territory.

“Israel” has previously annexed the eastern part of al-Quds and the Syrian Golan Heights, both captured during the 1967 war, though these moves remain unrecognised by most of the international community. Meanwhile, the occupied West Bank has seen escalating violence throughout the Gaza war, marked by frequent military raids and settler attacks on Palestinians.

France bid to recognize Palestine

Washington has grown increasingly disgruntled with France over the latter's commitment to recognise the State of Palestine. The dispute erupted after French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would move forward with recognizing Palestine as a state. The decision came during a decisive time in ceasefire negotiations, prompting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to accuse Paris of undermining the ceasefire talks.

The French government quickly dismissed Rubio’s claim that recognition of Palestinian statehood had derailed negotiations. On social media, officials wrote: “No, @SecRubio, the recognition of the State of Palestine did not cause the breakdown of hostage negotiations.”

Paris emphasized that Macron’s announcement came only after US special envoy Steve Witkoff had publicly declared that Hamas was not engaging “in good faith” and that Washington was now considering “alternative options.” According to France, this sequence of events proves that recognition did not trigger the collapse of discussions.

Macron’s push for recognition

Macron framed his July 24 announcement as part of France’s historic commitment to a “just and sustainable peace” in West Asia. The recognition, he added, would formally take effect at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session in late September.

France’s move sparked momentum among other countries. Canada, Australia, and several others signaled they would also extend recognition during the same UN gathering. Britain expressed support in principle but said its decision would depend on certain conditions being met.

Nearly 150 nations worldwide already recognize Palestine. Yet, full membership at the United Nations requires Security Council approval, where the US has repeatedly exercised its veto.

France has also joined Saudi Arabia in pushing for an international conference on Palestinian statehood. The US dismissed the initiative as a “publicity stunt” and refused to attend the first meeting in July. A second round is scheduled for the upcoming UN session.

Meanwhile, Washington has increased pressure on the Palestinian Authority, announcing that visas for President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other officials were being revoked ahead of the assembly.

  • Israel
  • Israeli occupation
  • Palestine
  • Occupied Palestine
  • Gaza
  • West Bank
  • United States
  • France
  • Marco Rubio
  • Gideon Sa'ar

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with Al-Manar TV, October 26, 2025 (Screenshot)
Politics

Hezbollah ready to face 'Israel' in case of war: Sheikh Naim Qassem

A Russian cargo train arrives at Astara Railway Wharf, March 2018 (IRNA)
Economy

Tehran, Moscow to finalize INSTC rail project next month

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf addresses the media after submitting his candidacy for the Islamic Republic's upcoming presidential election in Tehran on June 3, 2024 (AP)
Politics

UNSCR 2231 termination marks major win for Iran’s diplomacy: Qalibaf

ap
Politics

'Israel' killed 40 Palestinian children in West Bank since January: UN

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS